Langstone Court Motte

Description

Remains of a ditched and counterscarped sub-rectangular mound, c.27m E-W by 23m N-S. Its northwestern side has been damaged by recent road construction. Excavations in 1964 demonstrated that the summit had been defined by a masonry curtain wall. A bailey may have been located to the east within an area of terracing (see NPRN 266036). Its occupation appears to have extended from the thirteenth to the fifteenth centuries. It is possible that the counterscarp north of the motte is a sixteenth century feature and represents re-use or further construction of the site in this period. (Coflein)

Steep-sided motte surrounded by remains of ditch with strong outer bank, which had been partly levelled to E & used as a garden. No trace was found of a bailey. (Glamorgan-Gwent Archaeological Trust HER)

it is suggested that the motte was a later construction, probably motivated by land tenure and agricultural holdings. (Phillips 2005)

The monument comprises the remains of a medieval motte, an earthen mound upon which a fortification once stood. The mound originally measured about 30m in diameter, but the construction of the road around the NW side has removed a portion. The mound now stands about 3m in height. An earthwork enclosure is situated about 150m to the E of the mound; this enclosure may represent a bailey (a defensive enclosure associated with the motte) or later landscaping (such as a garden enclosure). The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of medieval defensive organisation. The monument forms an important element within the wider medieval context and the structure itself may be expected to contain archaeological information in regard to chronology, building techniques and functional detail. The area scheduled comprises the remains described and areas around them within which related evidence may be expected to survive. That to the W is irregular and measures 50m from NE to SW by up to 30m transversely. That to the E is rectangular and measures 74m from NNW to SSE by 72m transversely..   (Scheduling Report)

Comments

Quite what Phillips means is obscure to Gatehouse and the evidence that this of 'later' construction seems to be an opinion only. However, the idea that this mound mainly functioned as a symbol representing the knightly status of the tenant, who, although probably a trained solider, would have gained most of his income from agriculture.